The Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo led Kogi State Government has made clarifications on why it had a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdulhameed Sadiq in detention for over five months and counting with no freedom in sight.
The continued incarceration of Abdulhameed has gained widespread attention across social media platforms, held for allegedly defaming the state accountant general, Habiba Onumoko on Facebook.
ebirareporters.com would later gather that upon honoring police invitation in February 2025, the young man with the Facebook name ‘Ododo Dflowerboy Abdulhameed’ was immediately remanded in prison with no legal representation for bail application.
However, following series of appeals for forgiveness, Governor Ododo in a statement through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo explained the boy faces prosecution for what he described as a clear defamatory post against the government.
He stated the state followed due legal process by petitioning the Commissioner of Police.
The governor also believed Abdulhamid was instigated by political opposition and abandoned.
“Upon invitation, Abdulhamid voluntarily appeared before law enforcement and confessed to being the author of the defamatory publication. He was thereafter charged to court and remanded by a competent court of jurisdiction. Claims that he is being detained without trial are false, baseless, and intended to mislead the public.
“Defamation is a criminal offense in Nigeria, not an expression of free speech. It has the potential to destroy reputations built over decades and plunge innocent individuals into disrepute. Sadly, Abdulhamid allowed himself to be used by disgruntled political elements; who remain bitter over Governor Ododo’s bold decision to prioritize the welfare of the people above the personal interests of a few. These individuals, who once benefited from politics of patronage, now struggle to accept the new era of governance where public funds are used for public good.
The Governor further noted that “the case of Abdulhamid is not different from that of Austin Okai, who also faced the consequences of his actions but later tendered a public apology and was forgiven after pleas from elders and community leaders. Justice must never be based on ethnic considerations. To ask that Abdulhamid be released because he shares ethnic ties with the Governor is to insult the principles of fairness and equality before the law. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
“Even more tragic is the fact that Abdulhamid has now been abandoned by those who instigated him. This should serve as a cautionary tale to other young people that those who fund and encourage wrongdoing in secret will never stand with you in the face of the law.”
He vowed that the case will run its full legal course while the government remain committed to defending the integrity and image of the state.
